Las Vegas Barter Hours
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Las Vegas Barter Hours "En La Gente Confiamos" |
Barter Hours Memberships are only $5/year—and come with 4 free Barter Hours and a Members' Services Directory (2 Barter Hours for renewals). Do it now!
The staff meeting on January 16th generated some new ideas for where we want to go from here in Barter Hours. Many things have been accomplished in the last three years, and we have learned and grown through the process. There has been good networking and building of connections between people.
We have also learned that each person needs to take responsibility for the services they promise; and each barterer needs to take responsibility to give feedback directly to a person about their feelings if they are turned down when calling for services (this is hard, but it is necessary to hold each other accountable, instead of some central authority). Commitment, communication and a willingness to participate by giving feedback to people who do not follow through are essential elements to our overall success. When we share our disappointment with other members, they know that what they offer is important to us.
We have had some very successful work parties and have been able to meet and work with people who are new to us in our community. Now, we are looking at what has worked well and what we can do differently to support each other and the group.
We want a shared leadership model, and will begin this year with a monthly meeting of our new steering committee. The following members are committed to working together on the steering committee at this time: Cecile Zeigler, Cordia Sammeth, Sherrill Martinez, Dianne Lindsay, Julia Fuchs, Betty Dunbar, Patrick Morrow, Bob Wallace, and Kait Saboe.
Cecile facilitated our meeting and we started with a brainstorming session, and are developing some exciting new strategies for using Barter Hours. This committee is open to the addition of new members, but is a stable committed group.
From this meeting, two committees were formed to begin working on the new projects:
Sherrill Martinez, Julia Fuchs and Lea Obregon will be working on Barter gatherings that will be planned and published in the newsletter so people will be aware of what will be available for barter.
Patrick Morrow is heading up a committee that will be working on an innovative approach to trading labor. On that committee are Patrick Morrow, Cordial Sammeth, Dianne Lindsay and Kait Saboe. .
One of the ideas that came up with labor trading is to do projects that are energy efficient, so this class may be useful for getting more information:
"Intro to Renewable Energy—a Survey of all the Major Renewable Energy Sources and Technology" starts February 27th at Luna College and will meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5pm to 7:15pm for 10 weeks. This course is taught by Daniel Jencke, and will give information we need to make some serious changes in our energy consumption and energy choices. How many Barter Hours members can sign up?
Sincerely, Dianne Lindsay and Cordia Sammeth.
The next general meeting will be on Saturday, February 6th at Maryann's restaurant at 3:30pm. The new projects being developed will be presented to everyone. Please come if you can, to get on the list if you have a project you want done at your house. Sign up for a barter gathering. Give your feedback and your enthusiasm. No potluck this time, coffee and tea will be provided.
Many renewals are due at this time, it would be very helpful if you checked on your dues, or let Dianne or Cordia know if you are leaving the group. If you have any further questions, e-mail Cordia or phone her or Dianne at 426-1468.
Come join the Northeast NM Permaculture Discussion Forum and contribute your permaculture ideas to the discussion begun by local permaculturist Lee Einer in May '09. With a little group effort we can make this a valuable local resource for creating sustainability.
If you're not familiar with the 'Wiki' concept, this is a form of discussion where any member can create new articles, and can add to or edit already-existing articles. In this way we add to each others' perspectives and knowledge—the resulting articles grow out of group dynamics and a synthesis of multiple perspectives instead of being one person's ideas all coming from a single limited viewpoint.
Don't be shy—it's a small town and we all already know you're full of it. We still want to hear your ideas!
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or by E-Mail |
The Barter Hours E-Mail Trading List is working, with 44 members participating.
The List allows participating BH'ers to offer and make trades in real time, simply by sending one e-mail (the rest is automatic!).
To join the list, please contact Jack with your e-mail address and I'll sign you up.
If you're already signed up, USE THIS LINK TO POST EMAIL TO TRADING LIST.
Adopt a Legislator! Excellent tips on how to form a more personal relationship with your legislator(s) and have greater input into state and local affairs.
We're starting the newsletter back up, please consider writing an article for the newsletter detailing some of your experience with Barter Hours. Members will receive 2 Barter Hours for any article they write for the newsletter. Call Cordia at 426-1468.
Local Food Matters and Barter Hours members are working on a brochure listing all local food producers (including veggies, fruits, eggs, dairy, poultry and meat)!
If you know a local grower who would like to be included, please contact Elizabeth Ratzlaff at 454-9242 or Julie Olague at 421-8936.
Barter Hours member Bob Wallace has started the Las Vegas Issues Forum. The purpose of the list is "to provide a safe, open, online space for the discussion of issues that matter in Las Vegas and surrounding communities..."
If you're interested in joining the discussion group (we need your voice!), you can sign up for Las Vegas Issues Forum here.
Barter Hours Newsletters and Updates are available free online here or in paper form by request. If you need help getting a paper copy, contact Cordia at 426-1468.
